Optical disk labeling system and method
In one embodiment, a disk labeling system is configured to use calibration indicia to produce calibration data. A disk is then marked using a laser in a first position. The laser is then deflected from the first position into a second position, by applying an input according to the calibration data. The disk is then marked using the laser in the second position.
Latest Hewlett Packard Patents:
- System and method for electrostatic discharge protection
- Managing aggregated node group power states
- System and method for facilitating efficient event notification management for a network interface controller (NIC)
- Adaptive cascade cooling method for datacenters
- Camera and microphone enabling shutters
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of an application filed 17 Jan. 2003 entitled “Radial Position Registration For A Trackless Optical Disc Surface” having Ser. No. 10/347,074.
BACKGROUNDApplication of an image to a label surface of a computer disk, such as an optical disk (CD, DVD, etc.) can be accomplished by “burning” the image into a coating of thermally reactive material previously applied to the label surface of the disk. The laser ordinarily used to read or write data from/to the information side of the disk can be used to heat portions of the coating associated with pixels of the image to result in a thermal reaction and creation of the image. The laser is carried by a sled, which is configured to move the laser to each of a number of tracks. By turning the laser on and off, a concentric ring of pixels can be formed in the coating applied to the label area of the disk.
Unfortunately, in most applications, the number of tracks at which the sled is configured to stop is insufficient to result in the resolution required for desirable image quality. Images created where the number of available tracks is too small to support the desired resolution appear to have a narrow annular region or ring of un-reacted coating between each ring of pixels. One possible solution is to reduce disk speed enough that the time the laser spends on each pixel is sufficient to result in “blooming,” i.e. the expansion of the pixel due to reaction of coating material adjacent to the pixel. However, this requires more time than many users are willing to spend; also, while the larger pixels fill the narrow annular regions of un-reacted coating, the overall resolution is not improved due to the large pixel size.
As a result, while images created using a thermally reacting coating on a disk have benefit, there is a need to increase the resolution of such images.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, a disk labeling system is configured to use calibration indicia defined on an optical disk to produce calibration data. A disk is then marked using a laser in a first position. The laser is then deflected from the first position into a second position, by applying an input according to the calibration data. The disk is then marked using the laser in the second position.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digits(s) of a reference number identifies the figure (FIG.) in which the reference number first appears. Moreover, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
In one embodiment, a disk labeling system is configured to use calibration indicia defined on an optical disk to produce calibration data. Such data provides control over deflection applied to the laser, thereby resulting in disk labels with higher pixel density. A disk may therefore be marked using a laser deflected according to the calibration data to result in two or more rings of pixels marked during the laser's stay at each location to which it is moved by a supporting sled moving along a radial direction over the disk.
Memory 112 may contain RAM 114 and ROM 116, which may include firmware 118. The firmware 118 may be configured to allow control over the optical drive 110, and to enable the operation of the block diagrams seen in
The label design application 122 allows a user to create, or obtain over a network, label data 124. As seen in
An image burn application 134 is configured to apply the label data 124 to the label portion of a disk. A calibration module 136 is configured to examine calibration indicia (as seen in
The image burn application 134 may optionally include a label data mapping module 140. The mapping module 140 is configured to map label data 124 according to the pixel resolution determined by the calibration data 138. For example, where the calibration data 138 supports three rings of pixels for each discrete location to which the sled moves the laser along a radial direction over the disk, the resolution of the image marked on the disk will be greater than where the calibration data supports only two rings of pixels. Accordingly, the mapping module 138 maps the input label data 124 into output label data (such as for storage at 738,
Continuing to refer to the enlarged portion of
A laser controller 724 is in communication with the laser, and controls the operation of the laser, as well as associated tracking coils and sensors. In the example of
A tracking sensor 730 is designed to provide an indication if the laser 716 is aimed too much either radially inwardly or outwardly. A tracking coil 732 is designed to deflect the laser 716 radially inwardly or outwardly, i.e. to point the laser 716 slightly more toward the center of the disk 600 or slightly more to the outer edge of the disk 600.
In the implementation of
A controller 734 may communicate through an interface 736 with the processor 104. Alternatively, the functionality of the controller 734 may be performed by the processor 104. The label data may reside in buffer 738, accessible to the controller 734 and interface 736.
At block 804, an optical disk is marked using a laser in a first position. For example, as seen in
At block 1008, the label data may be mapped, such as by mapping module 138, according to a pixel resolution supported by the calibration data. For example, where very high resolution label data is obtained over the Internet, the mapping module 138 may be used to reduce the resolution of that label data, so that the pixel resolution as determined by the calibration data 136 may be used to mark the data onto a disk.
At block 1010, the sled 718 is positioned near the label portion 204 of a disk. At block 1012, a ring of pixels is marked on the disk with the laser in a first position, wherein the first position is associated with a first voltage potential applied to the tracking coil 732. The laser is then deflected to a second position by application of a second voltage to the tracking coil 732. A second ring of pixels is then marked on the disk. Depending on the calibration data, this may be repeated. At block 1014, the laser 716 is physically moved by moving the sled 718. Additional rings of pixels may be applied by repeating blocks 1012 and 1014 until the image is completely marked on the label area 204 of the disk.
At block 1016, in some applications, a second disk, not having calibration indicia, may be marked using the existing calibration data, as determined using a disk having calibration indicia.
At block 1106, calibration indicia are defined on the label side of the disk to allow the production of calibration data 136. At block 1108, the disk may be marked with fist and second concentric circles 210. Additionally, more (such as four, eight or twenty) circles or other markings may be added, as desired. At block 1110, the disk may be marked with calibration indicia comprising a saw tooth pattern 402.
Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are exemplary forms of implementing this disclosure. For example, while one or more methods have been disclosed by means of flow charts and text associated with the blocks, it is to be understood that the blocks do not necessarily have to be performed in the order in which they were presented, and that an alternative order may result in similar advantages. Moreover, the elements of the method may be performed by any desired means, such as by the execution of processor-readable instructions defined on a processor-readable media, such as a disk, a ROM or other memory device.
Additionally, while use of a disk having a coating which is thermally reactive to result in a monochromatic image is disclosed by way of example, other coatings having thermally, optically or otherwise reactive characteristics to result in mono-, bi-, tri- or full-color images could be substituted, while still in keeping with the principles disclosed.
As used herein, the phrase computer- or processor-readable media or medium can refer to any medium that can contain, store or propagate computer executable instructions. Thus, in this document, the phrase computer- or processor readable medium may refer to a medium such as an optical storage device (e.g., a CD ROM), a solid state memory device such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage device (e.g., a magnetic tape), or memory or media or other technology. The phrase computer- or processor-readable medium or media may also refer to signals that are used to propagate the computer executable instructions over a network or a network system, such as an intranet, the World Wide Web, the Internet or similar network. Additionally, reference has been made to circular rows of pixels. However, such circular rows of pixels may actually be near-circular segments of a spiral, and still referred to as circular rows of pixels. And further, the pixels may include color or monochrome pixels, which may be reacted or blank.
Claims
1. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- using disk calibration indicia to produce calibration data;
- marking a disk using a laser in a first position;
- deflecting the laser by a radial distance associated with a height of a pixel, from the first position into a second position, by applying an input according to the calibration data; and
- marking the disk using the laser in the second position.
2. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 1, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- marking a second disk, wherein the second disk does not have calibration indicia, using the calibration data.
3. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- sensing, with an optical sensor, reflection of a laser striking calibration indicia defined on an optical disk;
- correlating an input used to deflect the laser with the sensing of the reflection of the laser striking the calibration indicia; and
- calibrating the input to result in laser deflection by a radial distance associated with a height of a pixel to be marked, thereby producing calibration data.
4. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- marking the optical disk using the laser in a first position; and
- deflecting the laser from the first position into a second position, by applying an input according to the calibration data; and
- marking the optical disk using the laser in the second position.
5. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- marking a second optical disk, wherein the second disk does not have calibration indicia, using the calibration data.
6. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the calibrating additionally comprises processor-executable instructions for:
- producing deflection vs. reflection information to correlate the input used to deflect the laser with reflection of the laser sensed by the optical sensor; and
- inferring the calibration data based on the deflection vs. reflection information.
7. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the calibration additionally comprises processor-executable instructions for:
- producing deflection vs. reflection information to correlate deflection of the laser as measured by reflection off non-annular elements in the calibration indicia and sensed by the optical sensor with the input used to deflect the laser; and
- inferring the calibration data based on the deflection vs. reflection information.
8. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the calibrating comprises processor-executable instructions for:
- determining a voltage to be applied to a tracking coil to result in deflection of the laser by a radial height of at least one annular row of pixels.
9. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- generating label data, through operation of a user interface, for marking on a surface of the optical disk by the laser; and
- mapping the label data according to a pixel resolution supported by the calibration data.
10. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- receiving label data, over a network, for marking on a surface of the optical disk by the laser; and
- mapping the label data according to a pixel resolution supported by the calibration data.
11. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 3, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- positioning a sled, carrying the laser and the optical sensor, near the calibration indicia;
- producing deflection vs. reflection information to correlate input used to deflect the laser with reflection sensed by the optical sensor and based on the calibration indicia;
- inferring the calibration data based the deflection vs. reflection information;
- determining a voltage to be applied to a tracking coil to result in deflection of the laser by a radial height of at least one annular row of pixels by analysis of the deflection vs. reflection information;
- obtaining label data for marking by the laser on a surface of the optical disk;
- mapping the label data according to a pixel resolution supported by the calibration data;
- advancing the sled to a label portion of the optical disk;
- marking the optical disk using the laser in a first position;
- deflecting the laser from the first position into a second position, by applying the voltage;
- marking the optical disk using the laser in the second position; and
- advancing the sled.
12. A method for printing on a rotating disk, comprising:
- sensing a laser striking calibration indicia defined on a rotating disk;
- determining an input used to deflect the laser to one or more positions where the calibration indicia is sensed;
- generating calibration data by calibrating a first input that deflects the laser by an amount required to mark a first annular ring of pixels and a second input that deflects the laser by an amount required to mark a second annular ring of pixels, wherein the radial distance between the first and second annular rings is associated with a height of the pixel; and using the calibration data to print on a rotating disk by marking certain pixels in the rings.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, additionally comprising:
- utilizing the first and second inputs, obtained when operating the rotating disk, to mark a second disk, not having calibration indicia.
14. The method as recited in claim 12, additionally comprising:
- moving a sled carrying the laser and an optical sensor to a plurality of locations on the rotating disk; and
- at each of the plurality of locations, marking first and second annular rings of pixels using the first and second inputs to deflect the laser by first and second amounts.
15. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the calibrating additionally comprises:
- producing deflection vs. reflection information to correlate input used to deflect the laser with reflection sensed by an optical sensor; and
- inferring calibration data based on the deflection vs. reflection information.
16. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the calibration additionally comprises:
- producing deflection vs. reflection information to correlate input used to deflect the laser with laser reflection off non-annular elements in the calibration indicia sensed by the optical sensor; and
- inferring calibration data based on the deflection vs. reflection information.
17. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the calibration additionally comprises:
- determining first and second voltages to be applied to a tracking coil to result in deflection of the laser consistent with marking the first and the second annular rings of pixels.
18. A disk labeling system, comprising:
- a label design application to produce label data;
- a calibration module to associate a signal to deflect a laser with a response from a sensor tracking laser light reflected off disk calibration indicia, and to calculate calibration data comprising a deflection input required to deflect the laser by an amount associated with a radial height of a pixel to be marked on a label region of a disk; and
- a label burn application, to consume the label data and to associate pixels contained within the label data with the calibration data from the calibration module thereby marking the pixels at desired positions on the label region of the disk by deflecting the laser using the calibration data.
19. The disk labeling system of claim 18, additionally comprising:
- a spindle controller to control disk speed, wherein the disk speed is governed in part by the calibration data, and wherein greater disk speed is associated with calibration data resulting in greater pixel density.
20. The disk labeling system of claim 18, additionally comprising:
- a sled controller to control sled speed, wherein the sled speed is calculated to allow at least two deflection inputs to be applied to the laser before a sled position is incremented.
21. The disk labeling system of claim 18, additionally comprising:
- a tracking coil to receive the deflection input, and to deflect the laser an amount calculated to allow an inner row of pixels to be applied adjacent to an outer row of pixels.
22. The disk labeling system of claim 18, wherein the deflection input is a voltage level applied to a tracking coil, and wherein the sensor tracking laser light is a focus sensor.
23. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions for labeling a disk, the processor-executable instructions comprising instructions for:
- producing label data according to user input;
- calibrating a signal to deflect a laser by monitoring a response from a sensor tracking laser light reflected off disk calibration indicia, wherein the calibrating comprises calculating an input required to deflect the laser by a radial height of a pixel to be marked on a label region of the disk; and utilizing the input to deflect the laser to mark the disk with pixels at specific locations in accordance with the label data.
24. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 23, wherein the calibrating comprises processor-executable instructions for:
- sending a signal to a tracking coil to deflect the laser and receiving a signal from a focus sensor based on laser light reflected from the calibration indicia.
25. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 23, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- controlling disk speed as a function of calibration data, wherein greater disk speed is associated with calibration data resulting in greater pixel density.
26. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 23, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- controlling sled speed, wherein the sled speed is calculated to allow at least two deflection inputs to be applied to the laser before a sled position is incremented.
27. A processor-readable medium as recited in claim 23, additionally comprising processor-executable instructions for:
- for a given sled position, applying a first voltage to a tracking coil to deflect the laser a first amount calculated to allow a first row of pixels to be applied to the disk, and applying a second voltage to the tracking coil to deflect the laser a second amount calculated to allow a second row of pixels to be applied to the disk, wherein calibration data, derived from the calibrating, comprises the first and second voltages.
28. A disk labeling system comprising:
- means for sensing, with an optical sensor, a laser striking calibration indicia defined on an optical disk;
- means for determining an input used to deflect the laser to a position where an output of the optical sensor indicates that the laser is striking the calibration indicia; and
- means for calibrating the input to result in laser deflection by a radial distance associated with a height of a pixel to be marked, thereby producing calibration data; and
- means for labeling the disk at specific pixel positions using the calibration data.
29. The disk labeling system of claim 28, additionally comprising:
- means for positioning a sled, carrying the laser and the optical sensor, near the calibration indicia.
30. The disk labeling system of claim 28, additionally comprising:
- means for producing deflection vs. reflection information comprising exemplary voltage levels applied to a deflection coil and resulting deflection.
31. The disk labeling system of claim 28, additionally comprising:
- means for producing deflection vs. reflection information based on non-circular calibration indicia, and for deriving deflection inputs from the deflection vs. reflection information which result in generally circular rows of pixels.
32. The disk labeling system of claim 28, additionally comprising:
- means for determining a voltage to be applied to a tracking coil to result in sufficient deflection by the laser to mark two rings of pixels without moving a sled supporting the laser.
33. The disk labeling system of claim 28, additionally comprising:
- means for marking the optical disk using the laser in a first position; and
- means for deflecting the laser from the first position into a second position, by applying information in the calibration data; and
- means for marking the optical disk using the laser in the second position.
34. A disk labeling system comprising:
- means for sensing a laser striking calibration indicia defined on a rotating disk;
- means for determining an input used to deflect the laser to a position where an amount of deflection is such that the means for sensing senses the laser striking the calibration indicia; and
- means for calibrating, based on the input, a first input used to deflect the laser by a first amount required to mark a first annular ring of pixels and a second input used to deflect the laser by a second required to mark a second annular ring of pixels, wherein the difference between the first and second inputs is associated with a radial height of a pixel;
- means for labeling the disk at specific pixel positions based on the first and second inputs.
35. The disk labeling system of claim 34, additionally comprising:
- means for moving a sled carrying the laser and an optical sensor over a surface of the rotating disk; and
- means for marking first and second annular rings of pixels by deflecting the laser using the first and second inputs.
36. The disk labeling system of claim 34, wherein the means for calibrating additionally comprises:
- means for producing deflection vs. reflection information; and
- means for selecting the first and second input using the deflection vs. reflection information.
37. The disk labeling system of claim 34, additionally comprising:
- means for producing deflection vs. reflection information responsive to non-annular elements in the calibration indicia; and
- means for selecting the first and second input using the deflection vs. reflection information.
38. The disk labeling system of claim 34, wherein the means for calibrating additionally comprises:
- means for determining first and second voltages to be applied to a tracking coil to result in deflection of the laser consistent with marking the first and the second annular rings of pixels.
39. A system, comprising:
- a label design application to obtain label data;
- a calibration module to calculate inputs to a laser controller required to deflect a laser by a radial distance associated with a height of a pixel to mark at least two rings of pixels on a disk without moving a sled supporting the laser; and
- an image-forming application to mark a disk with the label data, wherein the calculated inputs are used to deflect the laser during marking.
40. The system of claim 39, additionally comprising:
- a tracking coil to deflect the laser according to the calculated inputs.
41. The system of claim 39, additionally comprising:
- a tracking coil to deflect the laser by first and second amounts, calculated to mark first and second annular rings of pixels on the disk, in response to first and second inputs to the tracking coil.
42. The system of claim 39, additionally comprising:
- a disk speed controller to control disk spindle speed, and to increase disk spindle speed in response to calibration data resulting in greater pixel density.
43. The system of claim 39, additionally comprising:
- a sled controller to regulate sled movement to allow at least two inputs to be used to deflect the laser before a sled position is incremented.
4027217 | May 31, 1977 | Harman |
4298684 | November 3, 1981 | Bouldin et al. |
4967286 | October 30, 1990 | Nomula et al. |
5182741 | January 26, 1993 | Maeda et al. |
5398231 | March 14, 1995 | Shin et al. |
5498509 | March 12, 1996 | Shin et al. |
5608717 | March 4, 1997 | Ito et al. |
5608718 | March 4, 1997 | Schiewe |
5627895 | May 6, 1997 | Owaki |
5675570 | October 7, 1997 | Ohira et al. |
5688173 | November 18, 1997 | Kitahara et al. |
5729533 | March 17, 1998 | Marquardt |
5745457 | April 28, 1998 | Hayashi et al. |
5748607 | May 5, 1998 | Ohira et al. |
5751671 | May 12, 1998 | Koike et al. |
5764430 | June 9, 1998 | Ottesen et al. |
5766495 | June 16, 1998 | Parette |
5781221 | July 14, 1998 | Wen et al. |
5846131 | December 8, 1998 | Kitahara |
5875156 | February 23, 1999 | Ito et al. |
5915858 | June 29, 1999 | Wen |
5949752 | September 7, 1999 | Glynn et al. |
5958651 | September 28, 1999 | Van Hoof et al. |
5967676 | October 19, 1999 | Cutler et al. |
5997976 | December 7, 1999 | Mueller et al. |
6019151 | February 1, 2000 | Wen et al. |
6026066 | February 15, 2000 | Maezawa |
6034930 | March 7, 2000 | Kitahara |
6074031 | June 13, 2000 | Kahle |
6102800 | August 15, 2000 | Kitahara et al. |
6104677 | August 15, 2000 | Kitihara et al. |
6117620 | September 12, 2000 | Imaino et al. |
6124011 | September 26, 2000 | Kern |
6160789 | December 12, 2000 | Abraham |
6202550 | March 20, 2001 | Lee et al. |
6264295 | July 24, 2001 | Bradshaw et al. |
6270176 | August 7, 2001 | Kahle |
6295261 | September 25, 2001 | Kim |
6317399 | November 13, 2001 | Ohtani et al. |
6384929 | May 7, 2002 | Miller |
6386667 | May 14, 2002 | Cariffe |
6403191 | June 11, 2002 | Casagrande |
6440248 | August 27, 2002 | Mueller |
6452883 | September 17, 2002 | Chan |
6469969 | October 22, 2002 | Carson et al. |
20010026531 | October 4, 2001 | Onodera et al. |
20020191517 | December 19, 2002 | Honda et al. |
1030294 | August 2000 | EP |
58-169354 | October 1983 | JP |
1235036 | September 1989 | JP |
10-011804 | January 1998 | JP |
11-066603 | March 1999 | JP |
2000-242963 | September 2000 | JP |
2000-357330 | December 2000 | JP |
2001-307344 | November 2001 | JP |
2002-203321 | July 2002 | JP |
Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 24, 2003
Date of Patent: Mar 2, 2010
Patent Publication Number: 20040141385
Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (Houston, TX)
Inventors: David Pettigrew (Corvallis, OR), Andrew Koll (Albany, OR), Darwin Mitchel Hanks (Fort Collins, CO)
Primary Examiner: Julian D Huffman
Assistant Examiner: Sarah Al-Hashimi
Application Number: 10/423,541
International Classification: B41J 2/435 (20060101); B41J 2/47 (20060101);